Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Wednesday's grid brings a compact 5x5 puzzle with a playful rock-paper-scissors theme and a few pop culture curveballs. Whether you're racing the clock or just enjoying a quick brain break, we've got hints and answers to keep you moving.
How The Mini Works
The Mini is a compact version of the classic NYT Crossword, typically featuring a 5x5 grid with five Across and five Down clues. Saturdays expand to a larger grid with more clues. Solve the intersecting words, and when the grid is complete, you'll hear a satisfying chime. No streak tracking here, but the built-in timer lets you compete against yourself or challenge friends.
New puzzles drop at 10 p.m. EST on weekdays and Saturdays. Sunday's Mini arrives earlier at 6 p.m. EST on Saturday.
Quick Scan
In a rush? Here's the at-a-glance breakdown for today's puzzle:
Grid Size: 5x5
Total Clues: 10 (5 Across, 5 Down)
Trickiest Clue: "It covers 8-Across, both in this puzzle and in a popular game", the meta-referential wording makes this the brain-bender of the grid.
Gimme Clue: "Also", a three-letter word that practically writes itself.
Theme Spotted: None today.
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Drug taken in tabs
Hint: A psychedelic abbreviation. Three letters, starts with L.
4. Like some coffees and sprained ankles
Hint: Cold and wrapped. Four letters.
6. It covers 8-Across, both in this puzzle and in a popular game
Hint: Think of the hand game, paper covers... what? Five letters.
8. See 6-Across
Hint: The other half of the hand-game pair. Four letters.
9. Also
Hint: Synonym for "as well." Three letters.
Down Hints
1. Body part that might become "fat" after a fight
Hint: You talk with it. Three letters.
2. "The Lion King" villain
Hint: Simba's uncle. Four letters.
3. Train station
Hint: A place to catch a train. Five letters.
5. The Chrysler Building's architectural style, informally
Hint: Art... four letters, ends with O.
7. Old-time film studio
Hint: Three letters, starts with R. Think classic Hollywood.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Drug taken in tabs
Answer: LSD
4. Like some coffees and sprained ankles
Answer: ICED
6. It covers 8-Across, both in this puzzle and in a popular game
Answer: PAPER
8. See 6-Across
Answer: ROCK
9. Also
Answer: TOO
Down Answers
1. Body part that might become "fat" after a fight
Answer: LIP
2. "The Lion King" villain
Answer: SCAR
3. Train station
Answer: DEPOT
5. The Chrysler Building's architectural style, informally
Answer: DECO
7. Old-time film studio
Answer: RKO
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "It covers 8-Across, both in this puzzle and in a popular game" for PAPER. The meta-layer here is excellent, PAPER literally covers ROCK in the grid layout (6-Across sits directly above 8-Across), and in the rock-paper-scissors game, paper covers rock. That's a double meaning that rewards attentive solvers.
Wordplay Winner: "Drug taken in tabs" for LSD. "Tabs" does double duty, it's a slang term for LSD doses and also hints at the answer being an abbreviation (a tab on a form). Short, clever, and satisfying.
Quick Fill: "Also" for TOO. A three-letter synonym puzzle constructors love, and for good reason, it's instant recognition once you have a single crossing letter.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Look for theme pairs early. When you spot 6-Across referencing 8-Across, work them together instead of separately. PAPER and ROCK cross with DEPOT and DECO, solving the theme words first unlocks both verticals simultaneously.
Watch for pop culture shorthand. SCAR (Lion King villain), LSD (psychoactive abbreviation), and RKO (classic film studio) are all common crossword staples. If you're stuck on a down clue, check if it's a proper noun or abbreviation the Mini frequently reuses.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? The rock-paper-scissors theme gave this Wednesday puzzle a playful edge, and clues like "Drug taken in tabs" and "The Chrysler Building's architectural style" kept things from being too easy. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
